Why Federation?
Why give to the Milwaukee Jewish Federation?
Don’t ask us. Ask the people that we help. Read their stories below.
Crisis Relief
“I am a hiker, a dog lover, the Israel Campus Fellow in Milwaukee, and a beneficiary of the Jewish Agency for Israel, which is supported by the Milwaukee Jewish Federation. During the second war in Gaza, a bomb landed on my family’s home in Kibbutz Reim, completely destroying the building. My mother, by a miracle, escaped without being injured. Just two days after the bombing, a JAFI representative came to the house with a check to help pay for rebuilding. JAFI also provided trauma support to people like my mother who were affected by the conflict. She went through a long process, and we are grateful for the help of JAFI.”
– Shay Yoos Give now to continue the impact.
Israel Connection
“I am a baseball lover, a fan of pop culture, a native New Yorker, and a participant in a Taglit-Birthright Israel trip. The trip gave me a chance to connect with people my age with similar backgrounds and reaffirmed that it’s okay to be a secular Jew. I felt what it’s like to be in a place where I’m not a minority, where I have a common connection with people who are so far away but still like me. I left with a greater appreciation of Israel’s proximity to other countries, of what Israelis go through on a daily basis, and of the incredibly unique land and culture.”
-Zach Weber Give now to continue the impact.
Safety Net
“I am a former English teacher, a classical guitarist, a poet, a resident of Tbilisi, Georgia in the former Soviet Union, and a beneficiary of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, which is supported by the Milwaukee Jewish Federation. I experienced a bitter divorce from an abusive husband. It ruined me financially, and my life took a downward turn. I have several serious illnesses, and I am nearly blind from cataracts. I can no longer leave my home. Through the JDC Hesed program, I receive help with bathing, laundry and housekeeping. I receive a hot meal every day and groceries each week. My JDC case worker is usually the only visitor I have. She keeps me connected to the world.” — Irina Davidovskaya
Jewish Leadership
“I am a stay-at-home mom, an architect by training, a fan of fitness classes, and a member of the boards of Congregation Shalom, the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center, and Women’s Philanthropy of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation. The Federation helped develop my leadership skills through the George Weinstein Fellowship and the Women’s Philanthropy mentorship program. The Weinstein Fellowship helped me understand the landscape of the local Jewish community, and my mentor helped me learn how I can make an impact.”
— Tami Kent Give now to continue the impact.
Financial Resources
“I am an amateur carpenter, a baseball fan, a native of Brooklyn, and the holder of a Donor Advised Fund at the Jewish Community Foundation of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation. When you have enough, you give the rest away. That’s what my father taught me. It’s not my style to have a yacht or an airplane. I love Milwaukee and want to contribute to the city. A Donor Advised Fund makes it easy to make gifts to Jewish and community organizations. I chose to create my fund at the Jewish Community Foundation because I’m Jewish. It was the obvious choice.”
– Dr. Paul Jacobs Give now to continue the impact.
Jewish Life
Click on the photos below to read stories of how we help sustain Jewish life in Milwaukee.
Give now to continue the impact.
Give now to continue the impact.